Fluid shovel apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A fluid shovel apparatus that pushes and lifts loose material such as snow, leaves, sand, dirt, grass clippings, mulch, or the like. The present invention includes at least one fluid exhaust port extending through a blade. Pressurized fluid is ejected through the at least one fluid exhaust port extending through the blade and ejects towards loose material. The loose material floats on a cushion of pressurized fluid that forms between the blade and the loose material. The loose material is pushed away from the blade and is lifted in an upward direction. Additionally, the fluid shovel apparatus may further include a soft pad and an ice scraper blade to assist in removing material from a surface of a motor vehicle. Additionally, the fluid shovel apparatus may be used to deliver a fire suppressant pressurized fluid upon a material that is burning. Additionally, the fluid shovel apparatus may be used to clear snow from railroad train tracks ahead of a railroad train car.

The present patent application is a continuation-in-part of copendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/069,139, filed Feb. 7, 2008, andentitled “Fluid Shovel Apparatus and Method,” which is acontinuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/786,233, filed Apr. 11, 2007 and entitled “Fluid Shovel Apparatus andMethod.” This invention relates generally to shovels for pushing andlifting loose material such as snow, leaves, sand, dirt, grassclippings, mulch, grain, flour, coal, ash, gravel, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shovels are well known in the art. Typically, shovels have included ablade that comes in direct contact with loose material while pushing theloose material. Additionally, the loose material must also be lifted andtossed to a desired location. This lifting requires significant energyfor heavy loose material. Significant frictional force is createdbetween the blade and the loose material as the loose material is pushedor lifted by the shovel. Significant work and effort is required toovercome this frictional force. If the loose material is wet such assnow, wet leaves, wet dirt, or the like, the scraping of the shovelalong a support surface does not completely remove the loose materialfrom the support surface. Additionally, the shovel does not remove anyremaining moisture from the support surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the above deficiencies, the present inventionprovides a fluid shovel apparatus for easily pushing and lifting loosematerial such as snow, leaves, sand, dirt, grass clippings, mulch,grain, flour, or any other suitable material. The present inventionprovides a fluid shovel apparatus wherein a pressurized fluid is used topush and lift the loose material. At least one fluid exhaust port islocated in a blade. The pressurized fluid flows through the blade andejects out through the at least one fluid exhaust port and is directedtowards the loose material. The pressurized fluid pushes the loosematerial in a direction away from the blade. Additionally, thepressurized fluid flows in an upward direction away from the blade andcarries the loose material in an upward direction. Therefore, the fluidshovel apparatus does not have to be physically lifted in an upwarddirection in order to lift and toss the loose material. Additionally,the pressurized fluid prevents the loose material from coming in contactwith the blade. The loose material floats on a cushion of pressurizedfluid that forms between the blade and the loose material. This resultsin an elimination of the friction between the material and the blade.Therefore, much less energy and effort is required to push the loosematerial. Additionally, the fluid shovel apparatus may further include abrush assembly and an ice scraper blade to assist in removing materialfrom a surface of a motor vehicle. Additionally, the fluid shovelapparatus may be used to deliver a fire suppressant pressurized fluidupon a material that is burning. Additionally, the fluid shovelapparatus may be attached to a train and used to clear snow from trainrails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention will best be understood from adetailed description of the invention and a preferred embodiment thereofselected for the purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a fluid shovel apparatus according toa preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG. 1,wherein a lower surface of a blade of the fluid shovel apparatus isresting upon a support surface;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the fluid shovel apparatus includes two fluid exhaustports in the blade;

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the fluid shovel apparatus includes three fluidexhaust ports in the blade;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus in accordance with the present invention, wherein the fluidshovel apparatus includes wheel assemblies for rolling the blade alongthe support surface and wherein a leading scraper edge of the lowersurface of the blade is resting upon the support surface while the wheelassemblies are elevated above the support surface;

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG. 7including two wheel assemblies;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG. 7,wherein the wheel assemblies are in contact with the support surface andthe leading scraper edge of the lower surface of the blade is elevatedabove the support surface;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the fluid shovel apparatus includes a skid runner incontact with the support surface while the leading scraper edge of thelower surface of the blade is elevated above the support surface;

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG. 10wherein the skid runner is elevated above the support surface while theleading scraper edge of the lower surface of the blade is resting uponthe support surface;

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein at least one of a straight air jet duct is at anacute angle relative to the leading scraper edge and at least one of thestraight air jet duct is perpendicular to the leading scraper edge;

FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the pressure apparatus includes a plurality ofpressure apparatus;

FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of the fluidshovel apparatus wherein a propulsion member includes a side mountedmember to assist an operator in guiding the fluid shovel apparatus;

FIG. 15 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the blade is at a yaw angle with respect to the mainpropulsion member;

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the fluid shovel apparatus is attached to a leafblower;

FIG. 17 illustrates a plan view of a fluid shovel apparatus, wherein themain propulsion member is adjustable in length to reach the pressureapparatus;

FIG. 18 illustrates a plan view of a fluid shovel apparatus, wherein themain propulsion member is retracted away from the pressure apparatus;

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the straight air jet duct is connected with aflexible duct to the pressure apparatus;

FIG. 20 illustrates another embodiment of a fluid shovel apparatus,wherein the blade includes a brush assembly attached to the lowersurface of the blade and wherein a ice scraper blade is attached to aprotruding leading edge of the blade;

FIG. 21 illustrates a plan view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG.20;

FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG.20;

FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG.20, wherein the ice scraper blade is scraping ice from the supportsurface;

FIG. 24 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the pressure apparatus supplies each fluid exhaustport in a plurality of blades;

FIG. 25 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the pressure apparatus supplies an outlet chamberconnected to each fluid exhaust port in a plurality of blades;

FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of a fluid shovel apparatus,wherein the pressurized fluid includes a fire suppressant fluid ejectingfrom the fluid exhaust port onto a burning material to extinguish afire;

FIG. 27 illustrates a plan view another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus, wherein the fluid shovel apparatus is attached to a railroadtrain car; and

FIG. 28 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovel apparatus of FIG.27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will beshown and described in detail, it should be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the scopeof the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in noway be limited to the number of constituting components, the materialsthereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., andare disclosed simply as an example of the preferred embodiment. Thefeatures and advantages of the present invention are illustrated indetail in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like elements throughout the drawings. Although the drawingsare intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a side view of a fluid shovelapparatus 10K in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The fluid shovel apparatus 10K includes a concave curvingblade 12K, a pressure apparatus 14, a pressurized fluid 15, a conduitsystem 16, at least one fluid exhaust port 18K, and a propulsion member20. The blade 12K includes an upper surface 22, a lower surface 24, aflat entrance surface 25, a front face 26K, and a rear face 28K. Theblade 12K includes a leading scraper edge 27 between the flat entrancesurface 25 and the lower surface 24 (FIG. 1). The blade 12K may includeany suitable concave curving shape (e.g., circular, oval, elliptical,etc.). The blade 12K may be formed from any suitable material (e.g.,plastic, polycarbonate, steel, aluminum, fiber glass, carbon fiber,polypropylene, nylon, fiber reinforced polymer, etc.). The conduitsystem 16 includes an inlet duct 31 and a straight jet duct 33. Thelower surface 24 of the blade 12K may rest upon a support surface 29.The support surface 29 may include any suitable surface such as a pavedsurface, a sidewalk, a hard packed surface or the like. The pressureapparatus 14 provides the pressurized fluid 15. The pressure apparatus14 may include any suitable pressure source (e.g., a pump, a blower, afan, a portable blower, a compressor, etc.). The pressurized fluid 15may include any suitable fluid (e.g., air, nitrogen, water, etc.). Thepressurized fluid 15 flows from the pressure apparatus 14 through theconduit system 16 and through the fluid exhaust port 18K. The fluidexhaust port 18K is an opening through the blade 12K from the rear face28K to the front face 26K of the blade 12K. Therefore, the pressurizedfluid 15 flows through the blade 12K and ejects through the front face26K of the blade 12K.

The propulsion member 20 is used to move the blade 12K in a forwarddirection (directional arrow 30) towards a pile of loose material 32.The propulsion member 20 may be attached to or pushed by a propulsionsystem 34. The propulsion system 34 may include any suitable propulsionsystem (e.g., a person, a garden tractor, an all terrain vehicle, a lawnmower, a truck, a motorized vehicle, a railroad train, an airport plowtruck, etc.). The loose material 32 may include any loose material(e.g., snow, leaves, sand, dirt, grass clippings, mulch, granularmaterial, grain, flour, coal, ash, gravel, etc.). Optionally, thepropulsion member 20 may be deleted and the propulsion system 34 maypush directly on the conduit system 16 or on the pressure apparatus 14.

As the blade 12K approaches the loose material 32, the pressurized fluid15 ejecting from the fluid exhaust port 18K pushes the loose material 32away from the front face 26K of the blade 12K. As the blade 12K movescloser to the loose material 32 a region 36 of pressurized fluid 15 isformed between the front face 26 of the blade 12 and the loose material32. This region 36 of pressurized fluid 15 prevents the loose material32 from coming in contact with the front face 26 of the blade 12. Theloose material 32 floats on a cushion of pressurized fluid 15 that formsbetween the front face 26K of the blade 12K and the loose material 32.This results in elimination of friction between the loose material 32and the front face 26K of the blade 12K. Therefore, much less energy andeffort is required to push the loose material 12 in the forwarddirection (directional arrow 30). Additionally, the pressurized fluid 15strongly pushes the loose material 32 in a forward direction(directional arrow 30). When the loose material 32 is snow and thepressurized fluid 15 is air, the pressurized fluid 15 pulverizes thesnow into small dry flakes 39. Additionally, when the pressurized fluid15 is air, the pressurized fluid 15 strikes the support surface 29 andcleans and dries the support surface 29.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the fluid shovel apparatus 10K ofFIG. 1. The blade 12K includes a right face 42 and a left face 43. Thepressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the fluid exhaust port 18K pushes theloose material 32 away from the front face 26K of the blade 12K.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the fluid shovel apparatus 10K ofFIG. 1. The pressurized fluid 15 flows from the pressure apparatus 14,through the conduit system 16 and through the fluid exhaust port 18K.The fluid exhaust port 18K is an opening through the blade 12K. Thefluid exhaust port 18K shape is formed by the intersection of thestraight jet duct 33 and the blade 12K. The fluid exhaust port 18K maybe adjacent to the lower surface 24 of the blade 12K. In this position,the pressurized fluid 15 flowing from the fluid exhaust port 18K veryeffectively sweeps the loose material 32 away from the flat entrancesurface 25 of the blade 12K and from the support surface 29.Additionally, if the loose material 32 is wet and the pressurized fluid15 is a gas (e.g. air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.) the pressurizedfluid 15 removes moisture from the support surface 29.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovel apparatus 10K,wherein the lower surface 24 of the blade 12K is resting upon thesupport surface 29. The conduit system 16 includes the inlet duct 31 andthe straight jet duct 33. A centerline 35 of the straight jet duct 33may intersect with the leading scraper edge 27 of the blade 12K. Anangle (A) between the flat entrance surface 25 and the centerline 35 ofthe straight jet duct 33 may typically lie between about 10 and about 20degrees. If the straight jet duct 33 is circular in cross section, thelength “B” of the straight jet duct is typically at least about 3 timesa diameter of the straight jet duct 33. The straight jet duct 33 maypreferably be at least about 4.5 cm in diameter. The pressurized fluid15 flows through the straight jet duct 33 and through the fluid exhaustport 18K in the blade 12K. The pressurized fluid sweeps across the flatentrance surface 25 of the blade 12K and also over the leading scraperedge 27 and onto the support surface 29. The straight jet duct 33 is notlimited to being circular in cross section. The straight jet duct 33cross section may be any suitable cross section (e.g., circular, oval,oblong, elliptical, rounded, square, rectangular, etc.). The shape ofthe fluid exhaust port 18K is formed by the intersection of the straightjet duct 33 with the blade 12K. In FIG. 4, the propulsion system 34 (notshown) may push and pull directly on the conduit system 16 or thepressure apparatus 14.

Optionally, the fluid shovel apparatus 10K may include the curving blade12 k, the conduit system 16 and at least one fluid exhaust port 18K.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10L. The fluid shovel apparatus 10L includes a blade 12L, afluid exhaust port 18L, a fluid exhaust port 18LA, a pressure apparatus14 and a conduit system 16L. The conduit system 16L includes an inletduct 31L, a straight jet duct 33L and a straight duct 33LA. Thepressurized fluid 15 flows from the pressure apparatus 14 through theinlet duct 31L, through the straight jet duct 33L, and through thestraight duct 33LA. The pressurized fluid 15 flows through the straightjet duct 33L and through the fluid exhaust port 18L in the blade 12L.Additionally, the pressurized fluid 15 flows through the straight jetduct 33LA and through the fluid exhaust port 18LA in the blade 12L.

An angle (C) measured between a centerline 35L of the straight jet duct33L and the leading scraper edge 27 may lie between about 70 degrees and90 degrees. The angle (C) is 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 5. A centerline35LA of the straight jet duct 33LA is shown in FIG. 5. A spacing “D”between the centerline 35L and the centerline 35LA may preferably beabout 20 to about 26 cm when the straight jet ducts 33L and 33LA includediameters of about 5 cm.

Optionally, additional fluid exhaust ports 18 may be added through theblade 12L at any suitable location to blow loose material away from theblade. These additional fluid exhaust ports 18 are not limited to beinglocated adjacent to the lower surface 24 of the blade 12L.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10M. The fluid shovel apparatus 10M includes a blade 12M, afluid exhaust port 18MA, a fluid exhaust port 18MB, a fluid exhaust port18 MC, a pressure apparatus 14 and a conduit system 16M. The conduitsystem 16M includes an inlet duct 31M, a straight jet duct 33MA, astraight jet duct 33MB and a straight jet duct 33MC. The pressurizedfluid 15 flows from the pressure apparatus 14 through the inlet duct 31Mthrough the straight jet duct 33MA, through the straight jet duct 33MBand through the straight duct 33MC. The pressurized fluid 15 flowsthrough the straight jet duct 33MA and through the fluid exhaust port18MA in the blade 12M. The pressurized fluid 15 flows through thestraight jet duct 33MB and through the fluid exhaust port 18MB in theblade 12M. The pressurized fluid 15 flows through the straight jet duct33MC and through the fluid exhaust port 18MC in the blade 12M.

The angle (C) measured between a centerline 35MC of the straight jetduct 33MC and the leading scraper edge 27 may preferably lie betweenabout 70 degrees and 90 degrees. As shown in FIG. 6, the angle (C) is anacute angle less than 90 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 a width “W” of the blade 12L and 12M maypreferably be between about 50 cm and about 60 cm in width when theblades 12L and 12M include about 2 to 3 fluid exhaust ports 18 and whenthe pressure apparatus 14 is a typical leaf blower. For pressureapparatus 14 with higher capacities than a typical leaf blower, then thewidth “W” of the blade may be any dimension larger than about 50 cm. Ifa fluid shovel apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 2 includes one fluidexhaust port 18K, then the width “W” of the blade may preferably be atleast about 18 cm.

Optionally, additional fluid exhaust ports 18 may be added through theblade 12M at any suitable location to blow loose material away from theblade. These additional fluid exhaust ports 18 are not limited to beinglocated adjacent to the lower surface 24 of the blade 12M.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a fluid shovel apparatus10N, wherein the fluid shovel apparatus 10N includes a wheel assembly60A and a wheel assembly 60B for rolling a blade 12K along a supportsurface 29. The fluid shovel apparatus 10N includes a shaft 92 and ahandle 94. A first end 96 of the shaft 92 is attached to the blade 12K.The handle 94 is attached to a second end 98 of the shaft 92. Anoperator may grip the handle 94 and push or pull the blade 12K of theshovel 10N in a forward direction (direction arrow 102) or a backwarddirection (direction arrow 103) towards or away from the pile of loosematerial 32. The pressurized fluid 15 flows from the pressure apparatus14 through the conduit system 16 and through the fluid exhaust port 18K.

The wheel assembly 60A includes a wheel 62A and a wheel bracket 64A. Thewheel bracket 64A includes an axel 65A. The wheel 62A is rotatablyattached to the bracket 64A and rotates about the axel 65A. The wheel62A is mounted in a fixed direction perpendicular to the leading scraperedge 27 of the blade 12K. The wheel assembly 60B includes a wheel 62Band a wheel bracket 64B. The wheel bracket 64B includes an axel 65B. Thewheel 62B is rotatably attached to the bracket 64B and rotates about theaxel 65B. The wheel 62B is mounted in a fixed direction perpendicular tothe leading scraper edge 27 of the blade 12K. The wheel brackets 62A and62B are rigidly attached to the blade 12K. The wheel brackets 64A and64B may be attached to the blade 12K using any suitable method (e.g.,glue, bolts, welding, etc.). The wheels 62A and 62B may include anysuitable material (e.g., rubber, plastic, metal, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 7 the leading scraper edge 27 is in contact withthe support surface 29 when the handle 94 of the shovel is at a firstheight “H1” above the support surface 29. The wheel assemblies 60A and60B are raised above the support surface and the wheels 62A and 62B arenot in contact with the support surface 29. The operator may grasp thehandle 94 and may push or pull the blade 12K in a forward direction(direction arrow 102) or in a backward direction (direction arrow 103)while the leading scraper edge 27 is in contact with the support surface29. The first height “H1” may be any suitable height for an operator.The height “H1” may preferably be between about 66 cm and about 74 cmabove the support surface 29 for an operator with an average height. Theheight “H1” may be lower or higher to suit an operator that is shorteror taller than the height of the average operator.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 the leading scraper edge 27 is lifted above thesupport surface and the wheels 62A and 62B are in contact with thesupport surface 29 when the handle 94 of the fluid shovel apparatus 10Nis at a second height “H2” above the support surface 29. The wheels 62Aand 62B roll along the support surface 29. The blade 12K of the fluidshovel apparatus 10N may be rolled in the forward direction (directionalarrow 102) towards the pile of loose material 32. The wheels 62A and 62Bmay roll over bumps or dips in the support surface. The loose material32 may include any loose material such as snow, leaves, sand, dirt,grass clippings, mulch, granular material, grain, flour, or the like.The blade 12K of the fluid shovel apparatus 10N may also be rolled inthe backward direction (direction arrow 103) away from the loosematerial 32. As the fluid shovel blade 12K is rolled in the backwarddirection 103 the pressurized fluid 15 may continue to blow off andremove remaining loose material 32 on the support surface 29.

The height H2 may be any suitable height that is less than the heightH1. Thus, when an operator lifts the handle 94 of the fluid shovel 10Kto the first height “H1”, the leading scraper edge 27 contacts thesupport surface 29 and when the operator lowers the handle 94 to asecond height “H2”, the leading scraper edge 27 is lifted above thesupport surface 29 and the wheels 62A and 62B contact and roll upon thesupport surface 29.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a side view of another embodiment of a fluidshovel apparatus 10E. The fluid shovel apparatus 10E includes at leastone low friction support assembly 63 attached to the blade 12K of thefluid shovel apparatus 10E. The fluid shovel apparatus 10E includes theshaft 92 and the handle 94. The first end 96 of the shaft 92 is attachedto the blade 12K. The handle 94 is attached to the second end 98 of theshaft 92. The operator may grip the handle 94 and push or pull the blade12K of the shovel 10E in the forward direction (direction arrow 102) orin the backward direction (direction arrow 103) towards or away from apile of loose material 32. The low friction support assembly 63 mayinclude at least one skid runner 67. The at least one skid runner 67 mayinclude any suitable means (e.g. metal skid, plastic skid, etc.) ofproviding a low friction contact support of the blade 12K on the supportsurface 29. The at least one skid runner 67 may be attached to the blade12K using any suitable means (e.g. welding, gluing, bolting, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 11 the leading scraper edge 27 is in contact withthe support surface 29 when the handle 94 of the fluid shovel apparatus10E is at the first height “H1” above the support surface 29. The atleast one skid runner 67 is raised above the support surface 29 and theleading scraper edge 27 of the blade 12K is in contact with the supportsurface 29.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 the leading scraper edge 27 of the blade 12Kis raised above the support surface 29 and the at least one skid runner67 is in contact with the support surface 29 when the shovel handle 94is at the second height “H2” above the support surface 29.

Optionally, the fluid shovel apparatus 10N (FIGS. 7-9) and the fluidshovel apparatus 10E (FIGS. 10 and 11) may delete the shaft 92 and thehandle 94. If the shaft 92 and the handle 94 are deleted, then thepressure apparatus 14 or an end portion 16EN (FIG. 11) of the conduitsystem 16 is configured to be located at the same position as thepreviously described handle 94. The operator would then grasp thepressure apparatus 14 or the end portion 16EN of the conduit system 16and position the pressure apparatus 14 or the end portion 16EN of theconduit system 16 at the distance H1 or H2 above the support surface 29.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a fluid shovel apparatus 10F.The fluid shovel apparatus 10F includes a blade 12F. The blade 12Fincludes stiffener ribs 71A-71H. The stiffener ribs 71A-71H provideadditional stiffness and rigidity to the blade 12F. The fluid shovelapparatus 10F includes the pressure apparatus 14, the conduit system 16and straight jet ducts 33FA, 33FB, 33FC and 33FD. The blade 12F includesfluid exhaust ports 18FA, 18FB, 18FC and 18FD. The pressurized fluid 15flows from the pressure apparatus 14 through the conduit system 16through the straight jet ducts 33FA-33FD and through the fluid exhaustports 18FA-18FD. Each fluid exhaust port 18FA, 18FB, 18FC and 18FD maybe located between a pair of stiffener ribs 71. For example, the fluidexhaust port 18FA lies between the stiffener ribs 71A and 71B. The fluidexhaust port 18FB lies between the stiffener ribs 71C and 71D. The fluidexhaust port 18FC lies between the stiffener ribs 71E and 71F. The fluidexhaust port 18FD lies between the stiffener ribs 71G and 71H. Eachstraight jet duct 33FA-33FD may be parallel to stiffener ribs 71. Forexample, the straight jet duct 33FA may lie parallel to the stiffenerribs 71A and 71B. The straight jet duct 33FB may lie parallel to thestiffener ribs 71C and 71D. The straight jet duct 33FC may lie parallelto the stiffener ribs 71E and 71F and the straight jet duct 33FD may lieparallel to the stiffener ribs 71G and 71H. The stiffener ribs 71 may beperpendicular to the leading scraper edge 27 or may at an acute anglewith respect to the leading scraper edge 27. Thus, the pressurized fluid15 flow ejecting from the each fluid exhaust port 18 may be directedperpendicular to or at an acute angle to the leading scraper edge 27.

Optionally, additional fluid exhaust ports 18 may be added through theblade 12F at any suitable location to blow loose material away from theblade. These additional fluid exhaust ports 18 are not limited to beinglocated adjacent to the lower surface 24 of the blade 12F.

FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10P. The fluid shovel apparatus 10P includes a conduit system16P, a blade 12P and a fluid exhaust port 18P. The conduit system 16Pincludes an inlet duct 31AP, an inlet duct 31BP and a straight jet duct33P. Pressurized fluid 15 flows through the straight jet duct 33P andout through the fluid exhaust port 18P in the blade 12P. The pressureapparatus 14 supplies pressurized fluid 15 to the conduit system 16P.Additional pressure apparatus such as 14A my supply pressurized fluid 15to the conduit system 16P. The pressure apparatus 14 suppliespressurized fluid to the conduit system 16P through the inlet duct 31AP.The pressure apparatus 14 may be any suitable pressure source (e.g. apump, a blower, a fan, a portable blower, a backpack blower, etc.). Thepressure apparatus 14A supplies pressurized fluid 15 into the conduitsystem 16P through an inlet duct 31CP and through the inlet duct 31BP.The inlet duct 31CP may be a flexible duct. The pressure apparatus 14Amay be any suitable pressure source (e.g., a pump, a blower, a fan, aportable blower, a backpack blower, etc.). Any number of suitablepressure apparatus 14 may simultaneously supply pressurized fluid 15 tothe conduit system 16P.

FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10Q. The fluid shovel apparatus 10Q includes a blade 12Q, aconduit system 16Q, the shaft 92, the handle 94. The first end 96 of theshaft 92 is attached to the blade 12Q. The handle 94 is attached to thesecond end 98 of the shaft 92. Pressurized fluid 15 flows through theconduit system 16Q and through a fluid exhaust port 18Q in the blade12Q. The operator may grip the handle 94 and push the blade 12Q in aforward direction (direction arrow 102). The operator may grip thehandle 94 and pull the blade 12Q in a backward direction (directionarrow 103). A side mounted member 93A may be attached to the conduitsystem 16Q. The side mounted member 93A may include a handle 94A. Theoperator may grasp the handle 94 with one hand and may grasp the handle94A with another hand while moving the blade 12Q of the fluid shovelapparatus 10Q. Optionally, a side mounted member 93B may be attached tothe shaft 92. The side mounted member 94B may include a handle 94B. Theoperator may grasp the handle 94 with one hand and may grasp the handle94B with another hand while moving the blade 12Q of the fluid shovelapparatus 10Q.

FIG. 15 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10R. The fluid shovel apparatus 10R includes a blade 12R, theshaft 92, the handle 94, the pressure apparatus 14, the conduit system16 and a fluid exhaust port 18R. The pressurized fluid 15 flows from thepressure apparatus 14 through the inlet duct 31, through the straightjet duct 33R and through the exhaust port 18R in the blade 12R. ThePressurized fluid 15 flows outward from the exhaust port 18R in adirection perpendicular to the leading scraper edge 27 of the blade 12R.The pressurized fluid 15 blows the loose material 32 away from a wall105.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the shaft 92 is attached to the blade 12Rwith a yaw angle (θ) as measured between the shaft 92 and the leadingscraper edge of the blade 12R. The angle (θ) may be an acute anglebetween about 20 and about 45 degrees. The operator may grasp the handle94 and may push the shaft 92 and the blade 12R in a direction (directionarrow 120) parallel to the wall 105. The pressurized fluid ejecting fromthe fluid exhaust port 18R blows the loose material 32 away from thewall 105. Optionally, the fluid shovel apparatus 10R may delete theshaft 92 and the handle 94 and the operator may then grasp the inletduct 31 of the conduit system 16 or the pressure apparatus 14 to pushthe blade 12R.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the fluidshovel apparatus 10S. The fluid shovel apparatus 10S includes a pressureapparatus 14AA, a conduit system 16S, the pressurized fluid 15, a fluidexhaust port 18S and a shovel apparatus 90. The shovel apparatus 90 issimilar to what is commonly used as a “snow shovel”, except formodifications including the at least one fluid exhaust port 18S. Theshovel apparatus 90 includes a concave curving blade 12S, the shaft 92and the handle 94. The first end 96 of the shaft 92 is attached to theconcave curving blade 12S. The second end 98 of the shaft 92 is attachedto the handle 94. The blade 12S may include any suitable material (e.g.,plastic, polypropylene, polycarbonate, steel, aluminum, etc.). Thepressure apparatus 14AA may include any suitable pressure source (e.g.,a blower, a fan, a portable electric blower, a portable gasoline enginepowered blower, a backpack blower, etc.). The pressure apparatus 14AAmay include a blower outlet duct 122. The conduit system 16S includes aninlet duct 31S and a straight jet duct 33S. The conduit system 16S maybe made from any suitable material, (e.g., PVC, modeled plastic, metal,etc.). The straight jet duct 33S may be attached to the blade with anysuitable fastening means (e.g., hot glue, epoxy, welding, bolting,etc.). A removable flexible coupling 124 connects the blower outlet duct122 with the inlet duct 31S. A first end 124A of the removable flexiblecoupling 124 is removably clamped onto the pressure apparatus 14AAoutlet duct 122. A second end 124B of the removable flexible coupling124 is removably clamped onto the inlet duct 31S. The removable flexiblecoupling 124 may include any suitable removable coupling (e.g., rubber,plastic, etc.). When installed the removable flexible coupling 124provides a leak tight joint between the pressure apparatus 14AA bloweroutlet duct 122 and the inlet duct 31S. The pressurized fluid 15 flowsfrom the blower outlet duct 122, through the inlet duct 31S, through thestraight jet duct 33S and through the fluid exhaust port 18S. Thepressurized fluid 15 may include any suitable fluid (e.g., air,nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.). The pressurized fluid 15 ejects towardsa pile of loose material 32. As the blade 12S approaches the pile ofloose material 32 the pressurized fluid 15 pushes under the loosematerial in a downward direction (directional arrow 104). Fluid pressurebuilds up between the blade 12S and the pile of loose material andpressurized fluid 15 also flows upward in an upward flow direction(directional arrow 106) between the loose material and the blade 12S. Aremovable coupling clamp 100A may removably clamp the pressure apparatus14AA to the handle 94 of the shovel apparatus 90. Alternatively, theremovable coupling clamp 100A may removably clamp the pressure apparatus14A to the second end 98 of the shaft 92 of the shovel apparatus 90. Theremovable coupling clamp 100A may include any suitable clamping device(e.g. rubber shock cord, rope, plastic clamp, etc.). Additionally, theremovable coupling clamp 100A may removably clamp onto a blower handle132 of the pressure apparatus 14AA. The blower handle 132 of thepressure apparatus 14A provides a means for the operator to hold ontoand move the pressure apparatus 14AA.

A clamping device 126 may be used to clamp the shaft 92 to the conduitsystem 16S. The clamping device 126 rigidly clamps the shaft 92 with theconduit system 16S. Wheel assemblies 60A and 60B as shown in FIGS. 7 and8 and described in a previous section of this specification may beattached to the blade 12R.

A shoulder strap 128 may be removably attached to the pressure apparatus14AA. The operator may place the shoulder strap 128 over one shoulder tohelp support some of the weight of the pressure apparatus 14AA.

FIG. 17 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10T including a shaft extension apparatus 134. The shaftextension apparatus 134 includes a plurality of holes 136A, 136B, 136Cand 136D in the second end 98 of the shaft 92. Additionally, the shaftextension apparatus 134 includes a sleeve 138 and a handle 94A. Thehandle 94A is rigidly attached to the sleeve 138. The sleeve 138includes a chamber 140. The second end 98 of the shaft 92 slides intothe chamber 140 of the sleeve 138. The sleeve 138 includes a sleeve hole142 that passes through the sleeve 138. A removable pin 144 may passthrough the sleeve hole 142 and through one of the holes 136A-136D. InFIG. 17 the handle 94A is positioned next to the blower handle 132wherein the removable pin 144 passes through the sleeve hole 142 andthrough the hole 136D in the shaft 92. Thus the sleeve 138 is locked tothe shaft 92. Additionally, the removable coupling clamp 100A (shown inphantom) may clamp the blower handle 132 to the handle 94A.

FIG. 18 illustrates a plan view of the fluid shovel apparatus 10Tincluding the shaft extension apparatus 134. The blower handle 132 is inthe same location as in FIG. 17 while the handle 94A has been moved at adistance “DA” away from the blower handle 132. The removable pin 144passes through the sleeve hole 142 and the hole 136A in the shaft 92thus locking the sleeve 138 to the shaft 92. The sleeve 138 may bepositioned closer to or farther away from the handle 132 by placing theremovable pin 144 through the sleeve hole 142 and one of the shaft holes136A-136D. Alternatively, the sleeve 138 may be locked at any desireablelocation on the shaft by any suitable clamping method. Therefore, thehandle 94A may be positioned next to the blower handle 132.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10U. This fluid shovel apparatus 10U is similar to the fluidshovel apparatus 10S as shown in FIG. 16, except the pressure apparatus14AA is replaced with a remotely located pressure apparatus 14BB. Theremotely located pressure apparatus 14BB may include an outlet duct 154.The remotely located pressure apparatus 14BB may include any suitablepressure source (e.g., a backpack blower, a wheeled blower, etc.). Afirst end 152 of a flexible duct 148 may be removably attached to theoutlet duct 154 of the remotely located pressure apparatus 14BB. Thefirst end 124A of the flexible coupling 124 is removably clamped onto asecond end 150 of the flexible duct 148. The second end 124B of theflexible coupling 124 is removably clamped onto the inlet duct 31S. Theremotely located pressure apparatus 14BB supplies pressurized fluid 15through the outlet duct 154, through the flexible duct 148, through theinlet duct 31S, through the straight jet duct 33S and through the fluidexhaust port 18S. The pressurized fluid 15 is directed towards the loosepile of material 32. The operator may push the handle 94 and the blade12S in a forward direction (direction arrow 102). The operator may pullthe handle 94 and the blade 12S in a backward direction (direction arrow103) away from the loose pile of material 32.

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 illustrate another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10V. FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovelapparatus 10V. FIG. 21 illustrates a plan view of the fluid shovelapparatus 10V. FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of the fluid shovelapparatus 10V. The fluid shovel apparatus 10V includes a blade 12V, ashaft 92V, a handle 94V, a brush assembly 160, an ice scraper blade 170,a conduit system 16V and a pressure apparatus 14V. The blade 12V may beany suitable shape (e.g., concave, curving, etc.). The blade 12V furtherincludes a protruding leading edge 27W. The blade 12V may preferablyhave a width “WV” of at least about 18 cm. The conduit system 16Vincludes a straight jet duct 33V. The fluid exhaust port 18V is anopening in the blade 12V. The fluid exhaust port 18V shape is formed bythe intersection of the straight jet duct 33V and the blade 12V. Thestraight jet duct 33V may be attached to the blade 12V using anysuitable means (e.g., hot glue, epoxy, welding, bolting, etc.). Theblade may be include any suitable material (e.g., plastic,polypropylene, polycarbonate, steel, aluminum, etc.).

The pressure apparatus 14V may include an outlet duct 155V. The pressureapparatus 14V may include any suitable fluid pressure 15 source (e.g.,backpack blower, a wheeled blower, a handheld blower, a gas blower, anelectric blower, etc.). A first end 152V of a flexible duct 148V may beremovably attached to the outlet duct 155V. The first end 124A of theflexible coupling 124 is removably clamped onto a second end 154V of theflexible duct 148V. The second end 124B of the flexible coupling 124 isremovably clamped onto the straight jet duct 33V of the conduit system16V. The conduit system 16V may be made from any suitable material(e.g., PVC, molded plastic, metal, etc.). The conduit system 16V maypreferably have a diameter of at least about 4 cm. The pressureapparatus 14V supplies pressurized fluid 15 through the outlet duct155V, through the flexible duct 148V, through the straight jet duct 33Vand through the fluid exhaust port 18V in the blade 12V. The pressurizedfluid 15 flows outward from the fluid exhaust port 18V in a directiontowards the loose material 32.

A first end 96V of the shaft 92V is attached to the blade 12V. A secondend 98V of the shaft 92V is attached to the handle 94V. A clampingassembly 167 may attach the flexible duct 148V with the shaft 92V. Theoperator may push the handle 94V and the blade 12V in the direction(directional arrow 102) towards the pile of loose material 32.Additionally, the operator may pull the handle 94V and the blade 12V thedirection (directional arrow 103) away from the loose material 32. Thepressurized fluid may include any suitable fluid (e.g., air, nitrogen,water, etc.). The fluid 15 may be air when the loose material 32 issnow.

The brush assembly 160 is attached to a lower surface 24V of the blade12V. The ice scraper blade 170 is attached to the protruding leadingedge 27W of the blade 12V. The brush assembly 160 includes a mountingmember 166 and a plurality of bristles 168. The plurality of bristles168 are attached to the mounting member 166. The bristles 168 mayinclude any suitable no scratching material (e.g., nylon, polypropylenefiber, plastic, natural fiber, etc.). The mounting member 166 may beattached to a lower surface 24V of the blade 12V. The mounting member166 may be attached to the lower surface 24V of the blade 12V using anysuitable means (e.g., glue, bolts, epoxy, etc.). The bristles 168 maycontact a support surface 29V. The mounting member 166 is attached inclose proximity to the protruding leading edge 27W of the blade 12V(FIGS. 20, 21). The support surface 29V may include any suitable surfaceof a motor vehicle (e.g., automobile, truck, van, etc.). The operatormay grip the handle 94V and may move the blade 12V in a direction(directional arrow 102) towards the pile of loose material 32 or in thedirection (directional arrow 103) away from the pile of loose material32. The bristles 168 scrub the support surface 29V. The bristles 168 aresoft so that they will not damage any surface coating such as paint onthe support surface 29V. The surface coating is not scratched.Optionally, the brush assembly 160 may be replaced with a soft pad(e.g., rubber, sponge, cloth fiber, etc.) attached to the lower surface24V of the blade 12V. The pressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the fluidexhaust port 18V also blows loose material 32 away from the blade 12V.Thus, the fluid shovel apparatus 12V may be used to remove loosematerial 32 such as snow from the automobile, truck or van. Thisprovides a big advantage for an automobile dealer to clear snow fromparked automobiles, trucks, vans, etc.

The ice scraper blade 170 is attached to the protruding leading edge 27Wof the blade 12V. The ice scraper blade 170 may be attached to theprotruding leading edge 27W by any suitable means (e.g., glue, welding,bolts, rivets, etc.). Alternatively, the ice scraper blade 170N (shownin phantom in FIG. 21) may have a width “WN” less than the width “WV” ofthe blade 12V. The width “WN” may preferably be at least about 10 cm.The ice scraper blade 170 may include any suitable material (e.g.,plastic, polycarbonate, nylon, etc.). Alternatively, the ice scraperblade 170 may be molded or formed as a portion of the protruding leadingedge 27W of the blade 12V.

FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovel apparatus 10V,wherein the fluid shovel apparatus 10V has been inverted. The fluidshovel apparatus 10V now has the ice scraper blade 170 in contact with asupport surface 29W. In this case the support surface 29W may be awindshield surface of the motor vehicle (e.g., automobile, truck, van,etc.). The support surface 29W may be coated with ice 32W on thewindshield surface of the motor vehicle (e.g., automobile, truck, van,etc.). Alternatively, the support surface 29W may be any other solidsupport surface (e.g. deck, stairs, etc.) coated with any suitablematerial (e.g., icy snow, dirt, etc.). The operator may scrape thesupport surface 29W by moving the handle 94V of the shovel 12V in thedirection (directional arrow 102) or the direction (directional arrow103). The ice scraper blade 170 loosens and scrapes ice 32W from thesurface 29W.

The pressurized fluid 15 flows from the pressure apparatus 14V throughthe flexible duct 148V, through the straight jet duct 33V and throughthe fluid exhaust port 18V in the blade 12V. The pressurized fluid 15ejects from the fluid exhaust port 18V in a direction towards thesupport surface 29W. The pressurized fluid 15 may be air when ice 32W iscoating the support surface 29W. As illustrated in FIG. 23, thepressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the fluid exhaust port 18V isdirected towards the support surface 29W. The pressurized fluid 15 blowsloosened ice 32W from the support surface 29W. When the width “WN” ofthe ice scraper blade 170N is narrower than the width “WV” of the blade12V, the pressurized fluid 15 may also flow towards the support surface29W past the ice scraper blade 170N and the protruding leading edge 27W(FIG. 21). The pressurized fluid 15 also helps remove moisture from thesupport surface 29W. Additionally, the operator may lift the handle 94V,the shaft 92V and the blade 12V in an upward direction (directionalarrow 105, FIG. 23). The blade 12V and the ice scraper blade 170 arelifted above the support surface 29W. Then the pressurized fluid 15ejecting from the fluid exhaust port 18V in the blade 12V may bedirected towards the support surface 29W and may further blow away anyremaining loosened ice 32W from the support surface 29W.

Optionally, the fluid shovel apparatus 10V may delete the shaft 92V andthe handle 94V and the operator may push directly on the conduit system16V.

FIG. 24 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10W. A central fluid pressure apparatus 14W supplies aplurality of individual fluid shovels apparatus 10WA, 10WB, 10WC and10WD. Each fluid exhaust port 18WA-18WD is individually suppliedpressurized fluid 15 through conduits 16WA-16WD and through eachstraight jet duct 33WA-33WD, respectively. Flow of pressurized fluid 15through each conduit 16WA-16WD is supplied from the central fluidpressure apparatus 14W.

FIG. 25 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of the fluidshovel apparatus 10Y. The fluid shovel apparatus of 10Y is similar withthe fluid shovel apparatus of 10W except that the pressurized fluid 15flows from the central pressure apparatus 14W to an outlet chamber 170Y.Each conduit 16WA-16WD is supplied pressurized fluid 15 from the outletchamber 170Y.

FIG. 26 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the fluidshovel apparatus 10X. The fluid shovel apparatus 10X includes a concavecurving blade 12X, a pressure apparatus 14X, a pressurized fluid 15X, aconduit system 16, at least one fluid exhaust port 18X and a propulsionmember 20. The blade 12X includes an upper surface 22X, a lower surface24X, a flat entrance surface 25X, a front face 26X, a leading scraperedge 27X and a rear face 28X. Additionally, the fluid shovel apparatus10X may include the wheel assemblies 60A and 60B as shown in FIGS. 7 and8. Alternatively, the fluid shovel apparatus 10X may include the lowfriction support assembly 63 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The bladeconcave curving blade 12X may include any suitable material (e.g. steel,aluminum, high temperature steel, etc.). The conduit system 16 includesan inlet duct 31 and at least one straight jet duct 33. A supportsurface 29X may include any suitable surface (e.g., floor, hard packedsurface, concrete surface, etc.). The pressure apparatus provides thepressurized fluid 15X. The pressure apparatus 14X may include anysuitable pressure source (e.g. pump, blower, compressor, portable pump,etc.). The pressurized fluid 15X may be any suitable fluid forsuppressing a fire (e.g. water, carbon dioxide, halon, fire suppressantfoam, fire extinguishing gas, fire extinguishing powder, etc.). Thepressurized fluid 15X flows from the pressure apparatus 14X, through theconduit system 16 and through the fluid exhaust port 18X. The fluidexhaust port 18X is an opening through the blade 12X from the rear face28X to the front face 26X. The shape of the exhaust port 18X is formedby the junction of the straight jet duct 33 and the blade 12X.Alternatively, the fluid shovel apparatus 12X may include a plurality offluid exhaust ports 18 supplied by the conduit system 16.

The propulsion member 20 is used to move the blade 12X in a forwarddirection (directional arrow 102) towards a pile of material 32X that isburning. Flames 180 are illustrated in FIG. 26. The propulsion member 20may be attached to or pushed by a propulsion system 34. The propulsionsystem 34 may include any suitable propulsion means (e.g., a person, amotorized vehicle, etc.). The material 32X may include any type offlammable material (e.g., paper, wood, oil, tall brush, etc.).

As the blade 12X approaches the pile of material 32X, the pressurizedfluid 15X ejecting from the fluid exhaust port 18X strikes at a baseportion 182 of the flames 180 and covers the loose material 32X with thefire suppressant fluid 15X. Thus the pressurized fluid 15X knocks downthe flames and covers the material 32X. Additionally, the firesuppressant fluid 15X blankets the support surface 29X with the firesuppressant 15X. Therefore, the fluid shovel apparatus 10X may be usedto extinguish fires. Additionally, the blade 12X may be lifted above thesupport surface 29X and the pressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the fluidexhaust port 18X may be directed towards burning material 32X not lyingupon the support surface 29X.

Additionally, if the pile of material 32X is not burning, thepressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the fluid exhaust port 18X may beused to remove the pile of material 32X from the support surface 29X.

Optionally, the propulsion member 20 may be deleted from the fluidshovel apparatus 10X and the propulsion system 34 may push directly onthe conduit system 16 or on the pressure apparatus 14X.

FIG. 27 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a fluid shovelapparatus 10RR. FIG. 28 illustrates a side view of the fluid shovelapparatus 10RR. The fluid shovel apparatus 10RR includes a blade 12RR, aconduit system 16RR, a first fluid exhaust port 18RRA, a second fluidexhaust port 18RRB, the pressurized fluid 15, a propulsion member 20RRand the pressure apparatus 14. The blade 12RR is attached to thepropulsion member 20RR and the propulsion member 20RR is attached to arailroad train car 1RR. The blade 12RR and the propulsion member 20RRmay be removably attached to the railroad train car 1RR. The railroadtrain car 1RR may be any suitable train car (e.g., train engine, snowplow car, flat car, etc.). A plurality of wheel assemblies 2RR supportand roll the railroad train car 1RR on a first train rail 3RR and asecond train rail 4RR. The conduit system 16RR transports thepressurized fluid 15 from the pressure apparatus 14 to the fluid exhaustports 18RRA and 18RRB. The pressurized fluid 15 ejects from the firstfluid exhaust port 18RRA and is directed towards the first train rail3RR. The pressurized fluid 15 ejects from the second fluid exhaust port18RRB and is directed towards the second train rail 4RR. The railroadtrain car 1RR moves the blade 12RR in a forward direction (directionalarrow 102) towards a pile of loose material 32. The loose material maybe snow covering the first train rail 3RR and the second train rail 4RR.The pressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the first fluid exhaust port18RRA blows the loose material 15 away from the first train rail 3RR.Additionally, the pressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the first fluidexhaust port 18RRA pushes loose material 32 away from the blade 12RR.The pressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the second fluid exhaust port18RRB blows loose material 32 away from the second train rail 4RR.Additionally, the pressurized fluid 15 ejecting from the second fluidexhaust port 18RRB pushes loose material 32 away from the blade 12RR.The blade 12RR is not limited to having only fluid exhaust ports 18RRAand 18RRB, but may include any number of fluid exhaust ports 18RR withpressurized fluid 15 ejecting through each fluid exhaust port 18RR.These fluid exhaust ports 18RR blow snow away from the blade 12RRattached to the railroad train car 1RR and clear a path in front of therailroad train car 1RR. The pressure apparatus 14 supplies thepressurized fluid 15. The pressurized fluid may be air. The pressureapparatus 14 may include any suitable pressure source (e.g., pump,blower, compressor, fan, etc.). The pressure apparatus 14 may be locatedin any suitable location on the train car 1RR. Optionally, the pressureapparatus 14 may be located in a train car other than the railroad traincar 1RR.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, andmany modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

1. A fluid shovel apparatus comprising: a blade with a concave curvingsurface including a lower surface of the blade and a leading scraperedge adjacent to the lower surface of the blade; a flat entrance surfaceadjacent to the leading scraper edge of the blade; an upper surface ofthe blade; a rear face and a front face of the blade; at least one fluidexhaust port extending through the blade from the rear face of the bladeto the front face of the blade; and a conduit system for transporting apressurized fluid to the at least one fluid exhaust port extendingthrough the blade, wherein the conduit system comprises at least oneseparate straight jet duct protruding from the rear face of the bladefor each fluid exhaust port and at least one inlet duct connecting withthe at least one separate straight jet duct, wherein the pressurizedfluid is ejected through each fluid exhaust port extending through theblade from the rear face of the blade to the front face of the blade,wherein each straight jet duct is angled such that at least a portion ofthe pressurized fluid is propelled in a forward direction away from thefront face of the blade and in a downward direction sweeping across theflat entrance surface and over the leading scraper edge of the blade todirectly impinge upon a pile of loose material.
 2. The fluid shovelapparatus of claim 1, further including a pressure apparatus forproviding the pressurized fluid to the conduit system.
 3. The fluidshovel apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one fluid exhaust port isadjacent to the lower surface of the blade.
 4. The fluid shovelapparatus of claim 1, wherein a centerline of at least one straight jetduct is essentially pointed at the leading scraper edge of the blade. 5.The fluid shovel apparatus of claim 1, wherein the straight jet duct iscircular in cross section.
 6. The fluid shovel apparatus of claim 5,wherein a length of each straight jet duct leading to each fluid exhaustport is at least about three times a diameter of the straight jet ductleading to each fluid exhaust port.
 7. The fluid shovel apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the leading scraper edge is in contact with a supportsurface when an end portion of the conduit system is located at a firstheight above the support surface and wherein the leading scraper edge iselevated above the support surface and at least one low friction supportassembly attached to the blade contacts the support surface when the endportion of the conduit system is located at a second height above thesupport surface.
 8. The fluid shovel apparatus of claim 7, wherein thelow friction support assembly includes at least one wheel assembly,wherein each wheel assembly includes a wheel, wherein each wheel ispointed in a direction perpendicular to the leading scraper edge of theblade.
 9. The fluid shovel apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lowfriction support assembly includes at least one skid runner.
 10. Thefluid shovel apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one straight jetduct is perpendicular to the leading scraper edge.
 11. The fluid shovelapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one straight jet duct is at anacute angle relative to the leading scraper edge.
 12. The fluid shovelapparatus of claim 1, wherein a yaw angle of the blade is at an anglebetween about 45 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to an inlet duct ofthe conduit system.
 13. The fluid shovel apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe pressure apparatus is selected from the group consisting of agasoline engine powered blower, an electric powered blower, a backpackblower and a portable gasoline powered blower.
 14. The fluid shovelapparatus of claim 2, wherein the conduit system is attached to thepressure apparatus with a flexible hose.
 15. The fluid shovel apparatusof claim 1, wherein the blade is made from the group consisting ofplastic, polycarbonate, steel, aluminum, fiber glass, carbon fiber,polypropylene, nylon and a fiber reinforced polymer.
 16. The fluidshovel apparatus of claim 1, further including a soft pad attached tothe lower surface of the blade and an ice scraper blade attached to theleading scraper edge of the blade.
 17. A fluid shovel apparatuscomprising: a blade attached to a railroad car wherein the bladeincludes a concave curving surface including a lower surface of theblade and a leading scraper edge adjacent to the lower surface of theblade; a flat entrance surface adjacent to the leading scraper edge ofthe blade; a rear face and a front face of the blade; at least one fluidexhaust port extending through the blade from the rear face of the bladeto the front face of the blade; and a conduit system for transportingthe pressurized air to the at least one fluid exhaust port extendingthrough the blade, wherein the conduit system comprises at least oneseparate straight jet duct protruding from the rear face of the bladefor each fluid exhaust port, wherein the pressurized air is ejectedthrough each fluid exhaust port extending through the blade from therear face of the blade to the front face of the blade wherein eachstraight jet duct is angled such that at least a portion of thepressurized air is propelled in a forward direction away from the frontface of the blade and in a downward direction sweeping across the flatentrance surface and over the leading scraper edge of the blade toimpinge upon loose material.
 18. The fluid shovel apparatus of claim 17,further including a pressure apparatus for providing the pressurized airto the conduit system, wherein the pressurized air is ejected throughthe at least one fluid exhaust port extending through the blade in aforward direction away from the front face of the blade and in adownward direction sweeping across the flat entrance surface and overthe leading scraper edge of the blade to impinge upon the loosematerial.
 19. The fluid shovel apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least aportion of the pressurized air is ejected through a first fluid exhaustport extending through the blade and is directed in a downward directionsweeping across the flat entrance surface and over the leading scraperedge of the blade towards a first train rail and wherein at least aportion of the pressurized air is ejected through a second fluid exhaustport extending through the blade and is directed in a downward directionsweeping across the flat entrance surface and over the leading scraperedge of the blade towards a second train rail.
 20. A method for pushingand lifting loose material from train rails, comprising the steps of:providing a blade with a concave curving surface including a lowersurface of the blade and a leading scraper edge adjacent to the lowersurface of the blade; providing a flat entrance surface adjacent to theleading scraper edge of the blade; attaching the blade to a railroadtrain car; providing a rear face and a front face of the blade;providing at least one fluid exhaust port extending through the bladefrom the rear face of the blade to the front face of the blade;providing a conduit system for transporting pressurized air to the atleast one fluid exhaust port extending through the blade, wherein theconduit system comprises at least one separate straight jet ductprotruding from the rear face of the blade for each fluid exhaust port;wherein the pressurized air is ejecting through at least one fluidexhaust port in a downward direction sweeping across the flat entrancesurface and over the leading scraper edge of the blade towards a firsttrain rail and wherein pressurized air is ejecting through extendingthrough the blade from the rear face of the blade to the front face ofthe blade, wherein at least a portion of the pressurized air ispropelled in a forward direction away from the front face of the bladeand at least one fluid exhaust port directed in a downward directionsweeping across the flat entrance surface and over the leading scraperedge of the blade towards a second train rail; and wherein the railroadtrain car pushes the blade towards a pile of loose material.